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Ministry of Agriculture

Apiculture Factsheet #004

Registered Drugs and Chemicals in Beekeeping

Drugs and control products registered in Canada for use in live
honeybee colonies and equipment:

Material

Trade Name

Formulation

Disease

Amitraz

Apivar

impregnated strip

Varroa

Fluvalinate

Apistan

impregnated strip

Varroa

Formic acid

n.a.

60% v/v liquid

Varroa & Tracheal

Formic acid

MAQS

gel strips

Varroa & Tracheal

Formic acid

MiteGone

impregnated substrate

Varroa & Tracheal

Fumagillin

Fumagilin-B

antibiotic powder

Nosema

Menthol

n.a.

crystals

Tracheal

Oxalic acid

n.a.

fumigant or liquid

Varroa

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride

Oxytet (Terramycin)

antibiotic powder

AFB, EFB

Thyme oil

Thymovar

impregnated wafer

Varroa

Tylosin

Tylan

antibiotic powder

AFB, EFB

Most of these products can be purchased at Beekeeping Supply
outlets.
Veterinarians, farm supply stores and pharmacies have dispensing
licenses for antibiotics and often have medication in stock.

Please Note: Chemicals and Antibiotic should NOT be used prophylactically (i.e. as
a preventative measure). Use only when disease has been detected or
confirmed in other colonies of the apiary or in a nearby apiary.

Minimize use of antibiotic drug use to reduce the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant American Foulbrood (r-AFB).

Apply antibiotic according to label
instructions and do not use when the expiry date.

Store chemicals and drugs in a cool dry place away
from light. Dispose of used strips in garbage for landfill.

Varroa mites have developed resistance to Apistan
in some parts of B.C. To reduce the risk of
resistance, alternate between different mite control products.

Test colonies for mite levels first, BEFORE applying mite
control chemicals. DO NOT use mite controls as a preventative
measure. Check for mite drop AFTER treatment to confirm that mite controls have been effective.